Content Intro

Household Goods

A permanent change of station or move can be overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of stuff. Breaking down your to-dos into more manageable pieces often helps. Here, you’ll find out how to handle household goods, manage your pet and guidelines on the shipping process. Your installation may have details on the documents you’ll need when shipping household goods. If available, your installation provides specific instructions on shipping your vehicle. Check transportation for additional information on your vehicle.

Subtopics

For comprehensive information on military moves, check out the Moving Guide section at Move.mil. The Moving with the Military Overview provides information about household goods shipping and storage, automobiles, and pets. Information on moving allowances and special items can be found under Entitlements/Guidelines. There are also links for retiring and separating members, specific service branch information and more.

You may also want to check out the Tools and Resources section for other valuable information on privately owned vehicles, weight estimators and locators, household goods insurance and ideas for helping children cope with the moving process.

The Defense Personal Property System is the online system you can use to request and manage your household goods shipment(s). For how-to guides to assist with your application, go to Move.mil.

Moving with your pet includes researching airline requirements and quarantine restriction laws in your new location. Many airlines have requirements for size, weight, breed, number of animals, kennel construction, documentation and seasonal limitations. Small pets may be shipped on military flights, but availability and regulations frequently change. Contact your local Personal Property Office to request specific country instructions. Military OneSource can make your move easier with helpful tips, resources and hands-on information related to moving with pets and more. For additional information see Pet Information under the Moving Guide tab on Move.mil.

In addition to planning your move, you can start getting your house and family ready. Clean up and get rid of junk. Hold a yard sale or donate serviceable items you no longer need. Gather important family records. Remember, in overseas areas, houses are generally much smaller than those in the United States and the electric current may be different.

If you are moving overseas, begin to plan what items will go in unaccompanied baggage, in your household goods shipment and in long-term, Non-Temporary Storage, or NTS, storage – check with your sponsor or overseas housing office to assist in determining what items to ship.

You’ll also want to log onto the Defense Personal Property System, the online system you use to request and manage your household goods shipment(s). For how-to guides to assist with your application, go to Move.mil.

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